Wizards Unlikely to Change Name Back to Bullets

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When Washington's NBA franchise changed its name from the Bullets to the Wizards in 1997, it was partially because of the city's burgeoning reputation as the "murder capital" of the United States (though the Wizards did not necessarily go over well either, not just because it sounded goofy, but because it also conjured up associations with the Ku Klux Klan in a predominantly African-American metropolis).

Anyway, long-time fans have clamored for a change back to Bullets, a request that has gone unfulfilled (the team's iconic uniform design, however, returned last season). For those hoping that the powers that be will finally listen to their constituents, keep hoping.

"There are certain instances in the last few years with certain players that I think are going to prevent that," said Monumental Sports & Entertainment Senior VP & CMO Joe Dupriest. "There's an appetite for Bullets marks. I think you'll see a lot more of that. You'll see people buy the merch. I don't see us changing the name to the Bullets. But I see us using the Bullets with the Wizards mark and using that history a lot more."